BRISBANE: India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour said that Jasprit Bumrah’s abdominal strain is being monitored but dropped a hint that major changes are on the cards for the final Test against Australia after increase in the touring squad’s injured tally.
Even a half fit Bumrah is unlikely to be risked by the Indian team management as it wants its pace spearhead in the World Test
Championship deciding series against England, scheduled at home from February 5.
“Injuries are still being monitored. Our medical staff is working with the players. I wouldn’t be in a position to comment how it stands at the moment.
“We would like to give them as much time as they can and only tomorrow morning you will know, which XI is going to play,” Rathour said on the eve of the series decider.
Star spinner R Ashwin and opener Mayank Agarwal are also not fully fit.
Interestingly, Rathour’s another comment on playing XI was pretty telling where he put up a brave front, stating that all who would take the field deserve to play for India.
“With or without injuries, the eleven that India will put up will be the best eleven on the ground and all of them deserve to be there. All of them deserve the opportunity to play Test cricket and if they play to their potential, I don’t see why won’t do well.
“So we are again backing our processes and backing our players,” the former opener said hinting that both Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur are in fray.
As far as providing specifics on Bumrah, it seemed that the collective strategy of the team management is to not let the
Australians feel that one of its biggest threats is already out of contention.
“The medical team is looking at him and so again we will wait till tomorrow morning to know whether he is fit to play or not,”
Rathour ducked another query.
–PTI

Press Trust of India